The Forgetful Feline: How Long Is A Cats Memory
We give our pets credit for a lot of things, but memory tends to be a touchy topic. Its widely believed that animals simply dont possess the same power of remembrance that humans do. Sure, you can train them to come when theyre called and use the litter box, but do cats really remember things?
Memory is still relatively unexplained by science. Even human memory remains largely mysterious. We know about different types of memory and the parts of the brain theyre associated with, but we dont know how memories are encoded or how were able to retrieve specific ones from the vast libraries of our brains.
Cat memory is even less understood than human memory, but it appears to work similarly to ours. We can combine what we do know about the feline brain with concepts from human neuroscience to explain the whats, whys and hows of cat memory. Lets explore this fascinating field and discover some surprising truths about cat cognition.
Should I Rehome My Cat
Certain situations lead us down the painful path of needing to rehome a beloved cat. However, if there is a chance you can avoid rehoming the cat, you should take it.
Cats have feelings and form bonds with their owners. The sense of security they get from having someone provide all their needs makes them happy and keeps them emotionally stable. Thats true even if they dont show it.
Of course, when you rehome a cat, you change its environment. Here, it doesnt understand that its still going to get all its needs met. Because its no longer in a familiar space, it hasnt yet associated the new owners with positive encounters. Instead, the cat thinks it will now have trouble finding food and that the new owners might hurt it.
A change of ownership and environment leads cats to believe their survivability is in danger. The stress that results from this can lead to possible trauma and illness. The good news is, cats are highly adaptable.
Of course, they may experience a surge of stress after being rehomed. However, they can eventually adjust to the new environment and continue to be happy. Younger cats are a lot more adaptable, while older cats have trouble adjusting to change. If you have an older cat, rehoming it should be a last resort, or else the cat may suffer from stress long-term.
How Long Do Cats Remember
Its a widespread myth that cats are too independent to care about much at all. Theyre assumed to be un-emotional creatures that domesticate themselves for one benefit only, food.
However, anyone kitty parents will know that this just isnt true. As companions, cats are dependent on us for their wellbeing. However, does this mean that they remember us and their experiences? If so, for how long?
Cats are animals of remarkable intelligence. They relate to us using all of their senses, creating an image of us and internalizing it in their memory. Cats are also animals of routine. For these reasons, cats get to know their environment and those who inhabit it very well.
Theyre extremely observant and if something changes, including separation from their owners, cats will know. This is why it can sometimes be difficult when owners go away on vacation. Sometimes, it can be obvious that a cat has even missed us.
Read Also: Is Blue Buffalo Good Cat Food
Leaving Your Pet For A Long Time
You may find yourself forced to leave your pet for a long period of time. Maybe a few days. Maybe a week. Maybe even 2 weeks or more.
For some pet parents, not only is this too long – it also brings up many worries. Will they be okay without me? Will they be stressed? Will they be cared for?
Will they forget about me?
Human beings have an outstanding memory. But animals come from the wild – they come from a world where sometimes, other pack members go away. How long will they remember their human? One day? One week? One month? Longer?
How Far Back Can A Cat Remember
Cats have a considerable capacity when it comes to memory retention. They can remember for as long as ten years, although a lot of factors can change this.
One of the factors is how close you are with your pet.
If your pet has been with you for a long time, it will remember you even if youre gone for quite a while.
Another factor is their age.
Felines tend to have higher memory retention during their early years.
Thus, if youre with your pet since its a kitten, chances are it will remember you even if youre gone for a long time.
You can see this in cats who get separated from their mothers in their early months.
A kitten that gets separated from its parents wont recognize its mother if they reunite.
You May Like: Why Does My Cat Touch Me With Her Paw
Can Cats Fall In Love With Their Owners
Cats can be affectionate towards their owners, seeking out our company and purringcontentedly as they sit or sleep beside us. To many owners this signifies that their cat loves them and this may be true. Love may be defined as an intense feeling of affection and lots of us have this for our animal companions.
Do Cats Remember You When You Go Away
Cats are known to be solitary animals because of how they behave when they are around. They tend to sleep most of the time, do their own thing, and stay on their own for a long time. However, it is not true that they do not miss you when you are gone.
Cats do remember people when they go away, and it can become quite a big problem for cats who need a large dose of affection daily. You can easily identify these behavioral traits if you see them following you around the house, call you whenever you look at them, cuddle with you.
It is, however, true that cats can easily stay on their own for a few hours, and they wont mind much if it is not long hours. However, if you are gone for long hours, the cat can show quite a few behavioral problems. It has often resulted in obesity in cats too.
So, you have to make sure they have access to food, water, and interactive toys to keep them busy. It will make sure that the cat is doing good when you are gone.
When it comes to remembering you, of course, they do. It can never forget the people who take care of them.
Read Also: Is Blue Buffalo Good Cat Food
Ways You Can Bond With Your Cat
So, how can you improve the chances of your cat remembering you, even if you get separated? The answer lies in how you spend your quality time together.
Cats are natural predators, and their hunting instincts are still intact. Thats why so many of their favorite toys seem to mimic furry or feathery animals. Some of these toys include:
- A stick with feathers attached
- Squishy mouse-shaped toy
- Ball of yarn
These toys act as potential prey for a cat.
If you want your cat to remember you, take time to play with them, using a toy that mimics the hunting experience. Cats remember what they enjoy, and a fun game will linger in their memories for a long time.
Another way to bond with your cat, as any pet owner can attest, is to feed them. I often wonder if my cats really love me or are just in it for the food! Cats will bond with the person that feeds them every day, and it is an easy way to ensure they never forget you.
Cat owners can take things a step further by combining food and play. Using a toy such as a laser pointer, for example, will help your pet bond with you as they pretend to hunt. After playing, you could reward your cat with a fish-flavored treat.
Feeding them out of your hand will help them associate you with the good feelings from playing and eating. You may find this leads to them curling up in your lap for a nice nap.
A Missing Sense Of Belongingness
Mother cats do not feel belonging, and even though they recognize the smell of their kitten, they still fail to distinguish their kittens from any other kitten. This is because every newborn kitten smells almost the same. It seems unnatural, but it is true!
Mother cats will treat any newborn kitten as their own and feed them without even knowing the difference. In addition, mother cats can also feed orphaned kids. Mother cats dont know how many kittens they have given birth to, and thus, they can hardly make it if any of them goes missing.
This lack of sense of belongingness is also a reason why cats easily forget their kittens and vice-versa.
Read Also: Blue Diamond Cat Food Reviews
Can Cats Remember Long
Studies suggest that some cats can recall particular types of information after ten years or more! In some cases, recall seems to have been life-long.
This ability depends on several different factors for example, health, conditions under which it is raised, etc. A cats age, just like in humans, can also be a factor. Similarly, if a cat has experienced poor health and nutrition over time, it affects the general well-being of the cat. This might include proper brain development and cognitive issues.
Long-term memory is split into a few categories in order to distinguish the types of information it stores.
Will My Older Cat Remember Me
As they lose brain cells, a cats ability to hold onto memories goes down as well. So, if your cat is very old when you get separated, it is possible they wont remember for long.
Quite a few older cats will have difficulty remembering things as they age. According to ModKat, studies have shown many older cats have brain dysfunction and memory loss as they get older. This happens to:
- About half of older cats ages 11-15
- 80% of cats ages 16-20 years
When cats lose brain functions due to age, the symptoms are similar to dementia. This means the cat who will have difficulty remembering the past.
Don’t Miss: String Of Hearts Cats
Do Cats Think Youre Their Mother
It might seem that your kitten thinks youre their mom. But, that fact is that this isnt true at all, you might get this feeling because of the love and affection they have developed for their owner after being adopted and they behave you the same way as they did to their mother cat before being separated.
You might be surprised to know that the kittens believe that the humans are one of them as well, the cat. And, this makes them being able to live so independently around us and have a lot of affection for their owner and the family.
Moreover, the love and affection you show towards them make them feel extremely safe. And they began to blend in with the family shortly after being adopted.
Do Cats Miss Their Kittens When They Are Taken Away
This entirely depends on the situation. If the kitten is taken away after the weaning period, mother cats do not worry much about it, comparatively. However, this does not mean that she will not look for the kitten.
She will search for her, but just for a few days, and after that, she will become completely oblivious that a kitten is taken away.
If the kitten is separated from her mother at a very early age, even before the weaning stage, the mother cat will show signs of anxiety and despair for several days. She will try to look for her at places. She will be a little upset and wont be that playful and energetic. She will even yowl and become listless. But this behavior will improve after a few days.
Also Check: Is Lavender Plant Safe For Cats
Do Cats Remember Their Old Homes
Most likely! Youve probably seen stories on the internet, or movies, about a cat who has been taken away traveling absurdly long distances to find their way home. Cats have not only great long-term memories but also a very good sense of direction. In the wild, big cats have a specific territory that they roam within, and their domestic cousins are no exception. While the stories we see are exceptions, not the rule, cats are pretty proficient at not getting lost. We dont recommend testing your cats survival skills, though!
Additionally, if a cat moves, with his or her family, and, for some reason, goes back to visit their old house, the cat will likely return to their old hiding places and haunts. I moved with my cat a few months ago, and when I go back to visit my parents house, my cat always finds my old room and hops up on my bed.
Do Cats Have Any Feelings For Their Owners
Cats can be affectionate towards their owners, seeking out our company and purringcontentedly as they sit or sleep beside us. To many owners this signifies that their cat loves them and this may be true. Love may be defined as an intense feeling of affection and lots of us have this for our animal companions.
Read Also: Can You Pass Emissions Without A Catalytic Converter
What Does A Mother Cat Do With A Dead Kitten
In such an unfortunate event, the mother is still unaware of the fact that her kitten is dead. Still, she caresses her newborn as an indication of her love and affection. Taking away the newborn right may not be a good idea as the mother will become unhappy about this.
In some cases, after a long time when the mother is certain that the kitten is dead. She may consume the kitten along with other live kittens. This only happens after the mother is completely sure that the kitten is dead. She will ascertain this by leaving the kitten for few days in hope of revival. If the newborn doesnt wake up then they consume as their food for their survival.
How Do Cats Decide If They Like Each Other
Cats have glands that contain pheromones on their faces and rubbing their faces together co-mingles these pheromones and creates contentment between bonded cats. 2. Cats that enjoy each others company will stand next to each other and intertwine their tails. This may be another way of co-mingling pheromones.
Also Check: Is Blue Buffalo Good Cat Food
Do Cats Miss Their Owners When They Die
YES. Cats miss their owners when they die. When a cat loses a friend, whether its an animal or a person, she grieves and adjusts to the changes in her life.
When cats cry, they change their behaviour in the same way as humans do: they become sad and listless. They will lose their appetite and refuse to play.
Cats recall their previous masters. Cats who relied on you for basic necessities like food, water, and social contact will recall you.
Painful and frightening memories are often stored in a cats long-term memory. A cats memory will last anywhere from months to years.
Do Cats Miss Their Owners When Theyre Rehomed
It depends on their relationship with their previous owners. If it were a positive relationship, the cat would probably miss them for a while, especially while the cat is getting used to its new environment. Scientists have tested cats and found that they can recognize individual humans and notice when their living situation changes. Still, theyre not quite sure whether cats miss their old routine or their owners specifically.
Despite that, if a cats new owners are attentive to their needs and provide fun stimulation and treats, the cat can quickly bond with them, which can ease the longing for the previous owners. Cats are practical animals they adapt quickly to their new lives and learn to make the best of it.
Also Check: How Much Cold Can Cats Tolerate
Do Cats Remember People
As mentioned earlier, the best way to understand this is to study how cats remember. Like almost all animals, cats have two types of memories: short and long-term memories. The former is what animals use to remember small bits of information over a short period while the latter involves storing information in the brain for a much longer period
Face Time And Bonding
Some research shows a cat’s short-term memory is on par with a 2- or 3-year-old, compared to the 16-hour retention of dogs.
Internet blogs and forums are filled with anecdotal evidence attesting to their even more impressive long-term memories.
Research and anecdotes asides, the sheer mechanics of memory illustrate it’s possible for cats to remember their owners when they’re associated with a strong stimulus.
If you feed your cat, give him treats and play with him, he’ll likely remember you. The more distinct the set of circumstances, the more likely it’s ingrained for good.
Read Also: What Does A Male Cat Look Like
Do Cats Forget Their Owners In 3 Days
You may be wondering that do cats remember their owner? The answer to this question is No, they dont forget their owners in just 3 days. They do have a sharp memory that retains such things for more than 3 days.
You might have a question that Will my kitten forget me if I leave for a week on a vacation and come back home and see your cat with a confused face as if everyone is new to them? No, this is not the case, they do remember their owner for longer than 3 days. So, you wont come back home to the confused face of your cat. They will easily recognize you through their memory.